Will a Laser Dentist Still Give Me a Shot?

You are about to go to a laser dentist and you are concerned about the anesthesia. You might have some anxiety around getting shots at the dentist and hope that laser dentistry is the solution. Most procedures do not require anesthesia. Find out more about what to expect with laser dentistry.

An overview of laser dentistry

Dentists use hard and soft tissue lasers to perform a variety of dental procedures. Hard tissue lasers are powerful enough to cut through tooth structure, while soft tissue lasers are used for periodontal and other types of treatments. Both lasers can be used without anesthesia in many cases.

When anesthesia is not required

The laser dentist will not use anesthesia to fill cavities. Also, anesthesia is usually not required for root canals or periodontal disease treatments when a laser is used due to two reasons. First, laser dentistry is less invasive. Dentists do not have to disturb healthy tissue or tooth structure, and bleeding is at a minimum. The laser removes the tissue as needed and instantly cauterize it, so the dentist does not have to stitch the area.

Second, lasers do not create friction when removing tissue or tooth structure. Friction leads to pain, which is one reason people need anesthesia for traditional dental treatments. By eliminating friction, dentists can perform procedures without numbing the area.

When anesthesia is required

Complicated procedures might still require some anesthesia, but not as much as with traditional dental methods. For example, if a patient has advanced gum disease, a shot might be needed when using a laser. The same is true for some root canals and other procedures. Dentists evaluate the degree of treatment needed before deciding if a shot is necessary.

Lack of anesthesia speeds up treatment

Shots make patients nervous, but that is not all. When patients require shots, they have to spend longer in the dentist chair. It takes time for the anesthesia to kick in, so patients must wait before the procedure begins.

Since a laser dentist rarely uses shots, the procedure time is much shorter. Dentists can begin sooner. Also, laser dentistry procedures are often quicker due to the absence of drilling and cutting. Lasers work quickly, shortening the time of the procedure.

Faster recovery times

People enjoy a pain-free experience during laser dentistry procedures. That continues during the recovery stage. Laser dentistry is less invasive, so people can expect to recover in a fraction of the time when compared to traditional treatments. Pain and discomfort are limited and most people can get back to their normal lives immediately.

Do you want to see a laser dentist?

If you do not want to get a shot at the dentist, consider laser dentistry. Shots are rarely used with this form of dentistry. You can get cavities filled, root canals, periodontal treatments and more without the need for anesthesia. The treatment time is shorter than with traditional dentistry, and you can expect to recover faster. This makes laser dentistry an attractive option for patients.

Request an appointment here: https://metrosmiles.com or call Metro Smiles Dental at (718) 841-9591 for an appointment in our Forest Hills office.

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